Former Czech Republic national coach to develop British boccia talent

A former head national coach of the Czech Republic has been appointed to develop British boccia talent.

Boccia UK, together with Boccia England, Disability Sport Northern Ireland, Scottish Disability Sport and Disability Sport Wales, are progressing with plans to develop an exciting and new Talent Transition Squad, in a bid to better nurture and develop talented athletes.

Lauren and michaela join the boccia uk coaching team

In the first major development to build the squad, Boccia UK has today named Michaela Rihackova as its Talent Transition Coach.

The Talent Transition Squad is designed to help support selected athletes from across the UK that show potential of competing at the highest levels. It aims to bridge the gap between players competing domestically and athletes that are supported by the World Class Programme.

Rihackova has coached boccia since 2010 and was head national coach of the Czech Republic from 2015 to 2019, nurturing the talents of current Paralympic champion Adam Peska.

A member of the World Boccia Development Committee over the last eight years, Rihackova is also a national classifier, international referee and sports assistant to Britain’s Stephen McGuire who became European Champion last November.

She says:

“I am really looking forward to being a part of the journeys of talented athletes here in Great Britain. Ever since I first started my own boccia journey in 2010 as a BC3 assistant and then a coach, I knew I wanted the sport of boccia to be a big part of my life. I can’t wait to share my knowledge and experience with Britain’s up and coming athletes to help them to achieve their full potential.”

Performance Director Greg Baker and Head of Performance Pathway Liz Fisher have already outlined the ambitions for the Talent Transition Squad in this Q&A.

Initially, the squad will feature a small number of players but the hope is that it will grow in the future. The squad selection process will commence once Rihackova is in post from April onwards.

Meanwhile, Lauren Kianchehr also joins Boccia UK as World Class Programme Camps and Competition Coach, to help support Performance Coaches Glynn Tromans and Claire Morrison, and team coach Sarah Nolan at international camps and competitions.

Kianchehr has been a coach in the England talent pathway for the last eight years and has refereed since 2013. For the last four years, she has travelled around the globe as an international referee and she has also undertaken an advanced coaching programme. She has already supported Boccia UK at recent competitions including the World Championships last December.

“I’m excited because I love being around elite boccia,” says Kianchehr. “The squad has warmly welcomed me over the last few years and I’m looking forward to working with them more in the run up to the Paris Paralympic Games.”

Performance Director Greg Baker is delighted with the appointments:

“We are thrilled to be growing our coaching team and to appoint two highly experienced female coaches is a real bonus for Boccia UK. Michaela has a fantastic boccia CV and we can’t wait for her to start work with the new Talent Transition Squad. Likewise, Lauren brings brilliant energy and will be a huge asset to the squad as we head towards Paris 2024.”

Lauren has been selected by UK Sport for its Coach in High Performance Sport’ Programme.

Both roles are a commitment of around 70 days a year. It is hoped that the positions will grow and evolve but are subject to funding post Paris 2024 Paralympics.